Improvement in canceling-stamps



G. W. STEPHENS. Canceling-Stamp.

'No. 214,727; Patented April 22,1879.

INVENTOR: fimu WITNESSES ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. STEPHENS, OF DENISON, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CANCELING-STAM PS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 214,727, dated April 22, 1879; application filed September 10, 1878.

- an improved canceling-stamp, by which the postage-stamps, checks, or other articles may be stamped in more rapid and reliable manner.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the handle of my improved hand-stamp for cancelin g letters, stamping cheeks, and other purposes. To the upper part of the handle A is pivoted the forked upper end of a convexlycurved lever-frame, B, which is grasped by the fingers jointly with the handle. The lower I end of the lever-frame B is also forked, and

connected by pivot-pins a to the slotted ends of a roller-frame, G, which is fulcrumed to diametrically-opposite pins b of the handle A.

The roller-frame C carries at its lower part, in slotted side bearings, the spring-cushioned inking-roller D, which is made of the same ma terial as printers rollers, and supplied with ink by passing it from time to time over a piece of glass or other plate on which the ink is distributed.

The lever-frame B is also acted upon by a band or other spring, B, which carries the inking-roller over the stamp when the grasp of the fingers on the lever-frame is relaxed.

For canceling with the stamp, the leverframe is tightly grasped by the fingers and pressed against the handle, which throws the inking-roller into position above the stamp, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, so that it may be brought down on the envelope or other article.

By releasing the pressure of the fingers in raising the stamp the roller is swung down by the action of the returning-spring B, so as to pass across the face of the stamp and ink-the same. The play of the roller in its swinging frame by the guide-slots and cushioning-spring facilitates the passage of the roller over the stamp.

By adjusting and attaching the stamp to the lower part of the handle, the inking attachment can be used for any canceling or marking purpose.

With little practice the canceling of letters may be accomplished in quicker and easier manner than by the old way, as the taking up of the ink from a pad after each bringingflown of the stamp is dispensed with.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The combination of handle A, lever-frame B, pivoted thereto, and having spring B, the rollerframe 0, fulcrumed at b 011 handle, and working with its slotted end on pivots a of lever-frame, and the inking-roller D, journaled in slots of frame G, all constructed and arranged substantially as shown and described, for the purpose specified.

GEO. W. STEPHENS.

Witnesses:

J. FRED. MEYERS, G. M. STALEY. 

